Socratic Methods

Fernando is enjoying a splendid dinner one evening when a large group of schoolkids enters the store, led by the son of one of Fernando's regulars. All of them are carrying cups of sodey pop from the nearby gas station and some of them have candy bars they munch upon. One of the members of this gaggle who lacks such solid sustenance sniffs audibly. “What're you eating there?” he asks.

“Asopao de pollo,” Fernando responds after clearing his mouth of food.

“Asa-what-what?” the lad repeats.

“Asopao de pollo. It's a Puerto Rican chicken dish with rice, hot peppers, tomatoes, oregano, and paprika. Quite delectable.”

“It smells good.”

“It is good. How can I help you gents tonight?”

The young man Fernando recognizes pipes up. “What's a good funny movie?”

Fernando rises from his seat and marches to the comedy section, the boys trailing him. “That depends on what you personally find humorous. My opinion on the subject very well could be different from your guys'. Point out a movie you guys have already seen and we'll go from there.”

The group of five breaks into debate for a short while and the film they decide upon at the end as their epitome of comedy is Zombieland.

“Is it the zombies that do it for you guys or something unrelated to zombies?”

Fernando is answered with echoed cries of “the zombies.”

Fernando smiles. “Great. Howsabout Shaun of the Dead? Zombies, comedy, Simon Pegg. Pretty fine movie overall.” The five young men agree with Fernando's suggestion, but a small argument breaks out again. Apparently some of their number want a horror movie.

“Well, this one's only two bucks. I'm sure you guys could fit another older horror flick in if you split the cost among the five of you. Plus I actually think you've got a free one coming, so you could get another one on top of that if you wanted something else.”

The young men begin gibbering and writhing at this news. “Oh, man! We have like ten bucks!” they shout before splitting up and combing the store for rental tags. Fernando returns to his seat as they haggle among themselves as to which ones they'll be keeping.

They eventually decide to go with “only” four titles. One was free, but it's still all good.